Willie le Roux shines in Durban
Willie had a virtuoso performance in the first test against Wales when he helped to set up four of the five Springbok tries including one for himself.
In his first one he ran between outside centre Jonathan Davies and winger Alex Cuthbert then chipped over fullback Ian Williams’ head for Bryan Habana to touch down just before the dead ball line.
In the second, flanker Aaron Shingler was there instead of Davies and le Roux was able to smoke him. Instead of kicking the ball to Habana to beat Williams and Cuthbert this time, he was able to pass it to him.
The third one was for himself and Williams was grasping at air again. Le Roux kicked over fatties and the bounce beat Williams, the ball hit le Roux in the hands and he scored too late for George North to do anything about it.
The fourth try assist was less spectacular, maybe because Williams was elsewhere that time. When the ball was swept to the right in the Boks’ 22 he kept running diagonally holding the ball to keep Cuthbert interested in him because there was only a hooker around to stop le Roux. Then just at the right moment he released the ball to Cornal Hendricks, who scored.
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Not a bad shift from Willie, my favourite South African rugby player. Poor Ian Williams must have tossed and turned all night.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer appreciates him too: he thinks he’s the best fullback in the world.
